Hexion Completes Capacity Expansion for its ArmorBuilt™ Wildfire Shield Product

Innovative Fire Hardening Material Helps Ensure Grid Stability in the Face of Wildfires, Improving Public Safety

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hexion has completed the expansion of its Missoula, Montana site in support of its ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield product.

Hexion’s ArmorBuilt Fire Protection product offers a durable, fire mitigation safeguard for securing critical infrastructure or other building materials. ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield is a smart material triggered by heat to form an insulation layer and protect the underlying pole and related infrastructure. It has been commercially available since March 2019 and approximately 100,000 utility poles are protected by ArmorBuilt in the field today. In September 2022, during the California Mosquito fire, ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield protected multiple utility poles from burning, while several vehicles in close proximity unfortunately melted due to the fire. By using ArmorBuilt to protect critical infrastructure, utility poles can remain vertical and allow first responders access to the fire, while others can safely escape the area.

“ArmorBuilt Wrap improves electrical grid resiliency and helps prevent loss of life by keeping protected poles upright,” said Sanjeev Rastogi, Senior Vice President, Global Resins. “By safeguarding key infrastructure, Hexion’s ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield delivers precious life-saving time by keeping critical passages open to first responders and evacuees that may otherwise become blocked by downed poles. We believe that this product can truly help save lives."

“For more than a century, Hexion has delivered sustainable product innovations and technologies that enhance everyday life. Merging fire science and smart materials, Hexion’s ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield instantly swells and seals around the pole to create a protective and effective heat insulation barrier. Finally, we continue to develop additional applications for a variety of industries as ArmorBuilt Shield can play a critical role in fire hardening protection for other critical infrastructure, residential and commercial applications.”

Hexion also recently participated in three prescribed wildfire canyon burns in partnership with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Stella-Jones Corporation, the National Science Foundation, and San José State University (SJSU). The scale of the prescribed test burns were some of the highest intensity burns conducted in a canyon, according to the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC) at SJSU. Multiple utility poles wrapped with Hexion’s ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield were tested. “After the material was removed, the poles, amazingly, looked perfectly fine,” said (Brice) Muenzer, Fire Chief with the CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit, as reported recently in the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Missoula site expansion enables Hexion to significantly increase its capacity to serve customers more easily in the Western United States, Canada and beyond, which are areas prone to wildfires. The Missoula expansion marks the third strategic investment by the Company over the last two years for its ArmorBuilt Shield following two capacity expansions at its Portland, Oregon manufacturing site in 2021. The Missoula site has achieved ISO9001 certification (Quality Management System).

Additional information about Hexion’s ArmorBuilt Fire Protection can be found at Hexion’s Fire Safety Solutions.

About Hexion Inc.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Inc. is a leading global producer of adhesives and performance materials. Hexion provides specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries, such as construction, furniture, energy, agriculture, and automotive. Building on over a century of experience, Hexion is working to preserve the Earth’s natural resources, meet the needs of growing populations and respond to a changing climate. Learn more about Hexion and its commitment to sustainability at www.hexion.com.